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14/4/2014 at 11:40pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Conway Crusader 2001 folding camper
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I'm no expert on B classes, but I can't imagine they're any more complicated than any of the other cars out there with CanBus systems etc.
I'd definitely go to the local Witter place you've seen and get a quote and check that there aren't any peculiarities with your specific car that would require it to only be done by a Mercedes dealer.
As for the reason why Mercedes' price is so high, I can only assume it's because its Mercedes! Six hours labour seems excessive, how many tea, and lunch!, breaks are they taking?! I fitted my own towbar, with a vehicle specific module, both 12N and 12S wiring and it took about three hours all in including all the stripping out of the load area trim/panels to get to the body to then drill the holes for brackets etc., so I can't see why it's taking them six hours!
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15/4/2014 at 8:55am
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Generally speaking fixed price dealer fit towbars allow excessive fitting time which bump prices up, this is same for other dealer fixed price jobs like new discs/pads or cambelt change, they pretend they are doing you a favour by making pricing clear.
It is same with parts prices. Dealer supplied parts are far more expensive than OE parts bought from motor factors which are made by same maker that supplies car maker. So Merc supplied towbar, branded Merc will be probably made by large towbar maker like Bosal or Westfalia who can supply same towbar from towbar supplier at half the the price. Same for wiring loom.
Only problem with using outside towbar fitting company is that you must be certain they have the competence to do fitting & wiring which should be dedicated loom for this type of car.
I would not necessarily take cheapest quote. Question towbar fitter at length about parts they will be using & if all features will be working. Not all towbar fitting companies will fit towbars to very sophisticated cars because of the work involved & the possible problems that could arise.
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15/4/2014 at 10:43am
Location: Plymouth Devon
Outfit: Swift Escape Motorhome
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pfjones.co.uk can supply and arrange fitting throughout the country at home or depot near to you . Might be worth a phone call
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15/4/2014 at 11:12am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Conway Crusader 2001 folding camper
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Quote: Originally posted by michell8 on 15/4/2014Question towbar fitter at length about parts they will be using & if all features will be working. Not all towbar fitting companies will fit towbars to very sophisticated cars because of the work involved & the possible problems that could arise.
Exactly, I implied that in my reply but should have specifically reinforced it. For example on cars with factory fit parking sensors the make specific tow electrics/module will disable the rear sensors when it detects that you've connected up a caravan etc. Also things like when rear fogs are turned on the ones on car won't turn on but on the caravan/trailer they will - so that you don't have a huge red distracting glow in your rear view from them reflecting off the front of the caravan.
Some cars will also adjust things like the stability control when hitched up so it's definitely worth making sure that all those things will work.
Towbar manufacturers such as Witter and Westfalia, and others probably, have vehicle specific electrics for a wide range of cars, just obviously need to check that they do for yours, or the fitter needs to check.
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17/4/2014 at 8:15pm
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hi i had a witter tow bar and elecs it took them 3 hours and they charge me £300 on a merc e 320 diesal so if they charge £1600 there taking the pea ive had it on the car a year now no probs shop around you will get there cheers .tom
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Topic: mercedes Tow Bar
much?!! That's eye wateringly expensive, not to mention outrageous.
A blade or wiper arm?
